Phil Thompson - Sky Sports Expert

Goal for glory

Thommo backs United to snatch score draw

Posted: 21st April 2008 16:20

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Cristiano Ronaldo Roma v ManU

Ronaldo: Best in the world?

Ronaldo is the best player in the world at the moment because he's performed at such a high level from day one until now. Messi's further down the pecking order because he hasn't played enough games and he's struggled with injuries.

Phil Thompson
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Sir Alex Ferguson's plan will be to score in the Nou Camp because if Manchester United get an away goal, he knows the rest of the job can be done at Old Trafford.

With the way that United have been playing this season, you always fancy them to score and even a narrow defeat wouldn't be a bad result for them over there.

They've got a great chance because they've so much firepower to call upon with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez.

Saying that, it would probably be a bit too adventurous to start with all of those three in the first leg. I imagine two of them will start and Tevez is likely to come off the bench for the last 20 minutes.

But I am confident United can go and get a draw on Wednesday night because if you look at current form, Barcelona are the weakest team left in the Champions League.

Don't get me wrong, Barcelona are still a great team and they have players who can change games, but they are not as consistent as they have been in the past.

They slipped out of the top two in Spain at the weekend and not only have their results been poor in recent matches, but the performances have not been up to standard either.

Liverpool fans think their club has got internal problems at the moment, but things are arguably worse at Barcelona where there are major issues both on and off the field.

Questions

There are big question marks over the future of Frank Rijkaard as well as a number of players, including Samel Eto'o and Ronaldinho, who may all be on the way out at the end of the season.

Managers of clubs in this country complain about the English media, but things are worse over there where there is a newspaper solely on Barcelona which needs filling.

There are big stories coming out of there all the time and that puts a lot of pressure on the manager. It wouldn't surprise me if Rijkaard made way for somebody else this summer and I would think he wouldn't be too unhappy about that. He's done alright, but it's probably time for him to move on.

They will have to step up a few gears if they are to reach the Champions League Final, but they are capable of that with players like Lionel Messi and Deco who can weave a bit of magic.

And in some ways, Barca's problems could count against United because the Champions League is all they've got to play for. That makes them more dangerous than if they were still going for the Spanish title.

They are a formidable outfit but when confidence is low at any club, the players suffer and I feel United can take advantage of that.

Pressure

I firmly believe this United squad are equipped to challenge for both the Premier League and the Champions League this season.

United know what it takes to win the title and they've been in this position before. Certainly Sir Alex knows how to deal with the pressure and he knows his squad is big enough and good enough to do it.

You can always tell how good a team is by looking at the bench and Sir Alex has been able to call upon all sorts of talented players to come on and turn games this season. That's why he'll fancy their chances in the Nou Camp.

I've heard some people say this game is all about Ronaldo and Messi, but I disagree; there will be too many good players on the pitch from both sides.

There's no way this is going to come down to the performances of two players because that would almost be disrespectful to Rooney, Eto'o, Deco and the other matchwinners.

Saying that, I do believe Ronaldo is the best player in the world at the moment because he's performed at such a high level from day one until now.

I think Messi's further down the pecking order because he hasn't played enough games and he's struggled with injuries. I'm still a huge admirer of him though.

United's defence will be key and I think Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand will be strong enough to deal with Eto'o on Wednesday, although I can see them being breached at some stage.

But I don't think Barcelona will score many and I feel United are capable of getting a goal, especially as Carlos Puyol is out injured, so I'm backing the draw in this one.

Thommo's call

I'm going for a 1-1 draw and I fancy United to go on and win the second leg at Old Trafford, setting up an all-English final against Liverpool in Moscow!

Comments

David Thomson (Morton fan) says...

Certainly, currently Man U are the form team. Barca's 1 win in their last 10 domestic games is indisputable evidence of this, and thus Utd are slight favourites. But they must be more than wary against this side. Unfortunately for Utd, form is temporary, but class is permanent. The moment Barca click into gear they can pass any team on the planet into submission. Ferguson knows this, and this is why he 'll most likely start with Hargreaves and Carrick in the middle of a 5 man midfield, to sit and break up play, and hassle the likes of Deco and Xavi. if Utd do go 2 up top, they risk being stretched on the break, and surrendering even a yard of space to any one of Barca's creative midfielders could end in disaster. The side has been expected to win the Premiership for sometime now; its the Champions League that Sir Alex will be dreaming of at night, and he'll settle for nothing less than a wholehearted, committed display in the Nou Camp tonight.

Posted 10:46 23rd April 2008

Rich Hall (Manchester United fan) says...

Joel Brammer (Manchester United fan) , clearly isn't much of a United fan if he thinks we've dropped points in our last 2 league games. We beat Arsenal and drew with Blackburn in our last 2 league games - you have to love the fans who give credence to Roy Keane's comments! I can see United scoring tonight, and quite possibly coming away with the result. Barca are missing Puyol through suspension, (not injury as Thompson states in his article) and there has been some doubt raised about Vidic who has got some form of stomach bug, but we have players who can come in and do a decent job, maybe Pique, even Neville back in at RB with Brown moved to CB? Either way, here's hoping for an excellent game and a run through to the final, because if we make it then we have more than enought to take both Liverpool & Chelsea apart!

Posted 10:38 23rd April 2008

Michael Gaffney (Manchester United fan) says...

How can anybody say Ronaldo doesn't do it against the big sides, he scored at The Emirates, and he also scored against Arsenal again at Old Trafford, he also scored against Liverpool at Old Trafford. He has also scored goals away against Roma, at home against Lyon both crucial goals. So to say he doesn't score important goals or goals against the big sides is rubbish.

Posted 09:43 23rd April 2008

Evelyne Moraa (Manchester United fan) says...

i am a manchester fan and i do believe that we can go to Nou Camp and leave with our heads high.Messi is a good player but i believe we are the better team and am counting on the Red devils scoring more than once.2-2 is more like it.go go Man u!

Posted 07:18 23rd April 2008

John Jacques (Manchester United fan) says...

This is a tricky tie, the two teams are clearly contending to be the best in the world and to be honest in the last 2 or 3 matches both teams have not performed at their top. Anyone's game, and the winner of this will likely win the whole thing.

Posted 04:16 23rd April 2008

Joel Brammer (Manchester United fan) says...

I am a bit nervy about this tie; United have dropped points in our last two league games (albeit against sides determined to fight), and something tells me Barcelona are going to step up a gear for this match in response to their poor domestic season. That being said, I'd be happy with a draw and the away goal for an away match, ready to finish Barcelona off at Old Trafford. I reckon Fergie will go with the formation he used against Roma away, with Ronaldo up front Hopefully Liverpool will knock Chelsea out next leg, and we'll get the greatest Champions League final of all time - United v Liverpool!

Posted 01:49 23rd April 2008

Nicholas Stylianou (Manchester United fan) says...

To Shuaib Chowdhary (Arsenal fan) who claims Messi is 'the best player around' because Ronaldo doesnt perform on the big stage? Firstly who got the vital goals to put us ahead in Rome and against Arsenal at home? Oh, and when in the past two seasons did Messi, 'the best player around', put in a great performance against a top side? And Real Madrid 2006-8 teams cant be included because Accrington Stanley boast a more misely defence. RONNY 1ST GOAL, UNITED 2-1, COME ONNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted 01:09 23rd April 2008

Gareth Lewis (Celtic fan) says...

has a neutral i think manchester united have just got the edge over barca but it will be down to the wire. i agree ronaldo is the best player in the world at the moment but there are 11 players in a team and they will all have to be at the top of there game i can see united edging a 2-1 win in the nou camp and then a 1-0 win at home

Posted 23:36 22nd April 2008

Shuaib Chowdhary (Arsenal fan) says...

reply to Declan Mcguire's comment. I read your comment and it made good sense, However Ronaldo hasn't done much against the "top four" in any of his games against them. Yes, its a great achievement to be top scorer in europe, but i think he'll be like Drogba was last season, run out of steam. The fact that Puyols suspended, im sorry never knew that. Nice comment, too bad its bias.

Posted 21:56 22nd April 2008

Michael Johnson (Manchester United fan) says...

It would have been fair to dismiss Ronaldo against bigger opponents... three years ago. Even at that I seem to recall him scoring a double against Arsenal when they took it 4-2 at Highbury. This year though it is a waste of time to argue whether or not he is the best player in the world right now. Barcelona are like the Liverpool of Spain: they play very well against world class clubs but they struggle domestically. This will be Man Utd's toughest test of the year and if they get a win out of it you can be sure that the outlook bodes well on Sunday at Stamford Bridge. The first few seasons of the 21st century saw United fail to rise to the occasion - I think this was their biggest flaw - but time and time again of late we've seen them respond so well to even the slightest setback. The draw with Blackburn should be enough of a fire under them to motivate a win at the Nou Camp - I'm calling for 1-0 with Tevez scoring at some point after 70 minutes.

Posted 21:27 22nd April 2008

Steven Taylor (Manchester United fan) says...

To start off, Othuke Okah, not everyone is underestimating Barca, just stating that United are the slight favorites and we are, slight favourites. I find it amusing that you say United don't win big games. Firstly United along with Barca are the only unbeaten teams in the tournament this year, and every european game is a big one, so your theory is looking a little shakey. In terms of the league in terms of the so called big games involving the 'big four' this season we are undefeated as well. Beat Chelsea, drew and beat Arsenal and we have beaten Liverpool twice this season! I think it will be a tighter game than people are predicting in terms of attacking play, If United in the Champions League since we won it in 99 is anything to go by. We have tended to play a 4-5-1 system to try and contain teamsn and I wouldn't bet against it tomorrow night either. I would much rather see us go out and play 4-4-2 in europe but if we can get a result like we did in Rome earlier this month then I won't be complaining. I think a tightly contested 1 - 1 draw tomorrow and would be very happy with a result like that.

Posted 18:28 22nd April 2008

Theo Azouz (Manchester United fan) says...

I think united will edge a tight victory at camp nou but win comfortably at OT. I think SAF will get his tactics spot on tomorrow and barca will be at our disposal. Ronaldo is the best player in the world but a lot of people underestimate Rooney, he sets up so many of Ronaldo's goals and will be so important for tomorrow! COME ON YOU REDS!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted 18:14 22nd April 2008

Alex Johnson (Manchester United fan) says...

I really can not see this match going any other way than our way. Watching the way United play every week you can see the hunger that the players have. Not only are they hungry for success they are hugely talented. We really do have 2 players for every position. I think this group of United players is one of the most talented if not the most talented that the club has ever produced. I think we will win both the premiership and the champions league this year and i really do think that this will just be the start of what i hope will be the start of domestic and european domination for the next 2 or 3 years.

Posted 18:03 22nd April 2008

Tetteh Okunor (Manchester United fan) says...

There is no doubt that Manchester United will go all the way to Moscow. On current form, they are the best team left in the competition. Man for man, they possess the fiercest line-up especially given the quality of firepower they possess. Barca will go down! Chelsea will get kicked out! Its the year of the English Reds. It's all about Manchester United and Liverpool in Moscow. Manchester United will definitely do the double.

Posted 17:53 22nd April 2008

Simon Thompson (Arsenal fan) says...

Im an arsenal fan through and through but I struggle to see how people claim Ronaldo doesnt perform in the big games, this season he has scored against us home and away, against liverpool roma, lyon... you dont get bigger games... surely nobody tops him?

Posted 16:32 22nd April 2008

Darren Crawford (Manchester United fan) says...

i also think if fergie goes for a 4-5-1 it may be our downfall in the nou camp. we have never played great using that formation except when we beat arsenal 4 nil in the fa cup! go for 4-4-2 with tevez and rooney up front and we will win in the nou camp!

Posted 16:15 22nd April 2008

Curtis James (Manchester United fan) says...

I agree with all the comments that we shouldn't write Barca off but when you look at the quality in both sides you have to say that Man Utd should edge it. Christiano Ronaldo has constantly proven he is the best player in the world, supported by Henry saying as much himself. Man Utd v Liverpool in the final as I think liverpool will be too compact for Chelsea to break. UTD FOR THE DOUBLE!

Posted 15:49 22nd April 2008

David Barnett (Manchester United fan) says...

I think it's going to be 2 really hard games for united and even with all the talk about barcelona being off form I'm still nervous going into it. You can never write off a team like Barcelona, with the players they've got all it takes is a touch of magic and its all over. I've been asked god knows how many times what I think the result will be after 2 legs but I'm refusing to say. United have got the quality in the squad to beat them over 2 legs, but at the same time Barca have got the quality in their squad to beat United. Too close to call I think.

Posted 15:47 22nd April 2008

Othuke Okah (Chelsea fan) says...

There they go again the Red devils as they call themselves. you under rate barcelona at your own expense. if you match barcelona's squad with united's they have players of world class repute much as united has. so lets wait and see how things pan out. this game is going to be won over 90mins. and united fans this is not Roma. As regards Ronaldo i would not say he is the best player in the world because when you match him up with Messi skilj for skill Messi is a million miles better and faster than he could ever be. As a chelsea fan we had a dose of what magic Messi can produce. players like Messi come once in a century, ronaldo scoring goals may win him awards but he is not in the mould of Messi who can single handly carry his club on his back

Posted 15:42 22nd April 2008

Declan Mcguire (Manchester United fan) says...

Just to reply to Shuaib Chowdhary. It would be hard for Puyol to score tomorrow night as he is suspended! Secondly for Ronaldo, essentially a winger, to be top scorer in any European league and Champions league (hardly not faced any tough teams there. Ask Roma) proves that he is best in the world. For the first time I actually agree with Phil Thompson, see Liverpool in Moscow!

Posted 15:12 22nd April 2008

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